Former Beach Volleyball Star Mike Whitmarsh Found Dead
February 18, 2009
photo PBVA
Mike Whitmarsh was a handy basketball player, he found even greater success on the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) tour in the 90′s. Whitmarsh teamed up with Mike Dodd to win silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics in the first ever Olympic beach volleyball event.
According to newspaper reports Whitmarsh was found dead inside the garage of a Solana Beach home Tuesday morning. He was 46 years old.
This came as sad news to me as I personally knew Mike from some time I spent training in San Diego in 1989, and later that year when he played on the Pro Beach Volleyball Tour in Australia.
Big Mike went on to launch himself on the AVP tour in 1990 winning the AVP Rookie of the Year honor. Whitmarsh earned more than $1.6 million during his career as well as winning 28 titles.
Standing at 6’7″ Mike’s strong point was his block. He was awarded Best Blocker in 2002 on the AVP tour. I remember fondly many of his roof blocks that he embarassed his opponents with when playing with Rande Turner on the PBVA tour.
I had the good fortune to face Mike across the net in a PBVA tournament at St Kilda Beach in Melbourne, Australia. I have to say I did manage to avoid any roof blocks on that occasion.
When playing in Australia Mike was great to watch, he was also a great bloke off the court. On the AVP tour Mike was a crowd favorite, this view was backed up by Leonard Armato, CEO and Commissioner of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour in what he said on the AVP site.
“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Mike Whitmarsh, a true a beach volleyball legend and one of AVP’s all time greats,” said Leonard Armato. “Mike was gifted competitor, a crowd favorite, and one of the most well liked and respected players on the AVP Tour. His legacy will live on as a silver medalist in the first-ever Olympic beach volleyball competition as well as a great ambassador for the sport. The AVP family’s thoughts and prayers are with the Whitmarsh family during this tragic time.”
Before Mike became a star of the AVP he enjoyed a shortlived basketball career. He played for the University of San Diego and was drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 1984. Mike was part of the Minnesota Timberwolves roster in 1989. He also played for three years professionally in Germany.
In 2003 Mike Whitmarsh was awarded the AVP Special Achievement award and in 2004 was awarded a Lifetime Achievement by the AVP.
Mike is survived by he wife, Cindy. “We are all devastated by the passing of Mike,” Cindy Whitmarsh said in a statement. His wife added that, “His family, friends, teammates and colleagues will miss him terribly. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time; it means more than we can express.”
I would love to hear your comments about Mike Whitmarsh. You can leave them below.
Beach Volleyball Database – Mike Whitmarsh
Mike Whitmarsh autopsy confirms suicide
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[...] the 90’s. Whitmarsh teamed up with Mike Dodd to win silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics in the Read More|||Mike Whitmarsh has been found dead at a friends house in Solana Beach. You can read the full [...]
Yes, this is sad news as I played with Mike on the Pro Beach Tour in Australia and he was a great player and all round nice guy.
[...] the 90’s. Whitmarsh teamed up with Mike Dodd to win silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics in the Read More|||Mike Whitmarsh has been found dead at a friends house in Solana Beach. You can read the full [...]
[...] RIP Mike Whitmarsh. [...]